I'm Shirley Oramas, an Independent Vacation Consultant with Expedia Cruises in Guelph, Ontario. I plan cruises, all-inclusives, family adventures, unique experiences, romantic getaways, destination weddings, and bucket-list journeys — and I'd love to help make yours possible.

Here's how I got here.

I grew up in a family where travel simply wasn't part of our world. Leaving home was surrounded by worry — the cost, the highway, the logistics, everything that could go wrong. Travel was spoken about as though it were reserved for the wealthy, the exceptionally brave, or just other people.

But I was always curious. I wanted to see the places I'd only read about, try the food, meet the people, and find out what existed beyond the little corner of the world I knew.

So at 16, when I was finally old enough to travel on my own, I made myself a promise: if there was somewhere I truly wanted to go, I would find a way to get there.

That promise changed my life.

Still in school and working full-time, I started funding my own adventures — cruises, waterfalls, new cities, sometimes every other weekend. I learned that seeing the world didn't require an enormous budget. I certainly didn't have one. What it required was research, creativity, flexibility and resourcefulness, and that philosophy has followed me ever since.

Since then, I've travelled by cruise ship and by car, stayed at beautiful resorts and camped along the way, taken extended trips and quick escapes, gone solo and gone with my children, across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Through many years as a single mother, I kept finding creative ways to make travel work within the budget I had.

Somewhere along the way, I realized I love planning travel almost as much as I love travelling. I genuinely enjoy the research — hunting for exceptional value, comparing options, building itineraries, digging up the restaurants and the history and the hidden gems that turn a good trip into a story you tell for years.

I also don't believe there's one right way to travel. I can appreciate the luxury of an incredible resort as much as an off-the-beaten-path adventure, a weekend close to home, or slowing down and experiencing a place a little more like a local.

Preparedness is another passion of mine. I've hosted emergency preparedness workshops locally and internationally, and I love helping people think through the details they haven't considered: what to pack, how to prepare, and the small things that help them feel safer and more confident while they're away.

That's why becoming a Vacation Consultant made so much sense to me. Planning a vacation should feel exciting, not overwhelming.

Travel is enrichment. It gives us stories and perspective, and introduces us to people, cultures and ways of life beyond our own. The more we genuinely learn about one another, the more understanding and compassion we bring home.

So, whether you're dreaming about a specific destination or just wondering what's possible — schedule an appointment with me and I'd be happy to help.

If you need a time outside my listed hours, send me an email with your availability and I'll find something that works for you.

?? soramas@expediacruises.com
?? 1 (800) 544 2656

Expedia Cruises, #12 - 304 Stone Road West, Guelph, ON, N1G 3C4
TICO Registration No. 50027444